Canter element controlled combination manifold, valve and filter module system

ABSTRACT

A filter module that is attached to a combination manifold and valve system may be replaced by simultaneously shutting off an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the system while releasing a securing member of the system from a securing position. The simultaneous shutting off and releasing are accomplished by rotating a rotatable structural member of the system from a first position to a second position.

TECHNICAL FILED

The present invention relates to filter systems, and more particularly to combination manifold and single lever quarter-turn system to which a filter module removably attaches, thereby facilitating changing said removably attachable filter modules.

BACKGROUND

It is common practice when installing a manifold to which a replaceable fluid filter module attaches, to also install separate valves ahead of, and usually after, said manifold. This is to enable changing the filter module without disrupting fluid to other locations in a service system. In use, when it is necessary to change a filter module which is secured to the manifold, the separate valves are first shut off, and then the manifold is operated to release the filter module. A new filter module is then put into place and the manifold operated to secure it, followed by reopening the separate valves ahead of and after said manifold. This is tedious.

A Search of patents provided a number of patents, of which the most relevant is believed to be U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,376 to Marioni. The system of the 376 patent provides a lever (33) which provides fluid flow control, however, filter removal and installation requires separate action. A patent to Knuth, U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,776 describes a detachable filter system which allows for removal of a filter without interruption of fluid flow, which is directed through a bypass. U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,288 provides a system for allowing removal and replacement of a filter cartridge by a rotation motion thereof. Said system does not comprise a lever control however. U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,896 to Otto has a lever, but it only operates the inlet side to effect bypass, shut-off and in-service capability. U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,521 to Petrucci et al. provides a system that allows a canister to be rotated into place in a head by a ¼ turn, but does not involve lever control. U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,171 describes a filter assembly with a lever that rotates vertically about a horizontally oriented axis, rather than in a horizontally oriented direction about a vertically oriented axis. U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,688 to Close describes a valve for a filter involving a lever which controls fluid directing, however, operation of the lever does not simultaneously control the attachment or release of a filter cartridge, which is attached by a hinged band. U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,189 to Thomsen et al. was also identified, but is not believed to be particularly relevant.

A need remains for a system comprising a manifold and a single lever, rotation of which by ¼ of a turn about a vertically oriented axis controls both fluid flow and filter cartridge securing.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system comprising a manifold and cantered element which comprises a single lever that is required to rotate only ¼ of a turn to, substantially simultaneously, shut-off inlet and outlet fluid supplies, and allow dropping a filter module, which filter module presents with dynamic fluid pressure, therefrom. Likewise, when the single lever is rotated ¼ of a turn in an opposite direction, a new filter can be drawn into an operational position and, substantially simultaneously, the inlet and outlet fluid supplies are re-opened. No tools are required, and the system design and simple operation thereof makes mis-installation of a filter module essentially impossible. The multi-tasking manifold/single lever combination then performs in a single operation what other known systems require two actions to accomplish. The filter module is designed so that the inlet and outlets thereof can only match to the inlet and outlets of the manifold, thereby preventing backward installation.

The present invention then comprises a combination manifold and valve system to which a filter module removably attaches. Said combination manifold and valve system is constructed such that when the manifold is operated to allow affixing a filter module the valve(s) in the manifold are caused to be closed, and when the manifold is operated to securely affix a filter module thereto, the valve(s) in the manifold are caused to be open. The system is characterized in that a single lever which rotates no more than ¼ turn, completely and substantially simultaneously controls both the valves and filter module mounting.

The filter module removably attaches and is held in place by means for securing said filter module and said combination manifold and valve system comprises a manifold central structural element with two ports to which fluid carrying pipes affix, each of said ports having fluid carrying piping projecting therefrom into a filter module which is secured in place on said manifold, by said means for securing said filter module. Said combination manifold and valve system has affixed thereto means simultaneously operating said valves and means for securing said filter module to said manifold, such that when a filter module is secured in place on said manifold by said means for securing said filter module, said valves are open, and when said filter module is not secured in place on said manifold, said valves are closed.

A mechanism for controlling the securing of said filter module to said manifold comprises a single lever of a cantered element which is rotatable affixed to the top of said manifold central structural element, as it is viewed in side elevation, such that when said lever of said cantered element is rotated in one direction the means for securing said filter module are caused to rise, and when said single lever of said cantered element is rotated in the opposite direction said means for securing said filter module are caused to lower.

The preferred filter module has a lip at an upper aspect thereof, and said means for securing said filter module has hook-like structures which can catch said lip. Said means for securing said filter module additionally has an elongated slit therein into which projects a rod which is secured stationary with respect to said manifold central structural element.

An alternative recitation of the present invention combination manifold and valve system provides that it comprises:

a central structural element which has a substantially closed top and sides, said sides having first and second openings therein, each of which is suitable for attaching thereto a fluid carrying pipe, said central structural element having therewithin a substantially circular inner cavity; there being, during use, a filter module comprising filter media therewithin, secured to the lower extent of said central structural element as viewed in side elevation; present in said substantially circular inner cavity there being snuggly present a rotatable structural element having a top and a side wall, said rotatable structural element having first and second openings in said wall, which openings are functionally protected inwardly and then downward in the form of unequal lengths of pipe-like elements such that fluid entered into one thereof passes through said filter module which is affixed to the lower aspect of said combination manifold and valve system and out of the other thereof; said first and second openings in said central structural element and said first and second openings in said rotatable structural element wall being arranged with respect to one another such that when the first of the openings in said central structural element and the first of said openings in said rotatable structural element wall are aligned by relative rotation therebetween, then simultaneously so are the second openings in the central structural element and said second opening is said rotatable structural element wall; there being a rotatably mounted single lever of said cantered element at the top of said central structural element, and there being means for securing said filter module slidably affixed to the sides of said central structural element, said cantered element and means for securing said filter module being functionally interrelated such that causing said single lever of said cantered element to rotate about a substantially vertically oriented axis causes said means for securing said filter module to slide with respect to said central structural element; said means for securing said filter module having hook-like structures at lower aspects thereof and a slit shaped opening thereabove, into which slit shaped opening projects a rod which is secured stationary with respect to said central structural element; said combination manifold and valve system filter module further comprising a lip at an upper extent thereof, which hook-like structures are of a shape to catch.

The slit shaped openings in the means for securing said filter module having hook-like structures at lower aspects thereof is elongated and can be oriented such that its elongated dimension projects substantially vertically, as viewed in side elevation, or said slit shaped opening can be oriented such that its elongated dimension projects at an angle between vertical and horizontal, again as viewed in side elevation. The later configuration is preferred.

The filter module preferably comprises, as viewed in side elevation, receptors in an outer covering thereof which have a vertical and a horizontal section such that each forms an “L” shape. Said filter module then further comprises a filter lid which attaches to said filter module outer covering by way of sliding nibs on said filter lid into the vertical portions of said receptors on said filter module outer covering, and then causing a slight rotation motion of filter lid so that nibs are positioned in the horizontal portions of said receptor portions. In use rotating said filter lid so that said nibs thereon are in the vertical sections of the receptors in the filter module outer covering allows entering and removing the filter lid, and rotating said filter lid so that the nibs are in the horizontal portions of the “L” shaped receptors secures said lid in place in the filter module.

A method of filtering fluid comprising the steps of:

a) providing a combination manifold and valve system comprising:

-   -   a central structural element which has substantially closed top         and sides, said sides having first and second openings therein,         each of which is suitable for attaching thereto a fluid carrying         pipe, said central structural element having therewithin a         substantially circular inner cavity;     -   there being, during use, a filter module comprising filter media         therewithin, secured to the lower extent of said outer cover;     -   present in said substantially circular inner cavity there being         snuggly present a rotatable structural element having a top and         wall, said rotatable structural element having first and second         openings in said wall, which openings are functionally projected         inwardly and then downward in the form of unequal lengths of         pipe-like elements such that fluid entered into one thereof         passes through said filter module which is affixed to the lower         aspect of said combination manifold and valve system and out of         the other thereof;     -   said first and second openings in said central structural         element and said first and second openings in said rotatable         structural element wall being arranged with respect to one         another such that when the first of the openings in said central         structural element and the first of said openings in said         rotatable structural element wall are aligned by relative         rotation therebetween, then simultaneously so are the second         openings in the central structural element and said second         opening is said rotatable structural element wall;     -   there being a rotatably mounted single lever of a cantered         element at the top of said central structural element, and there         being means for securing said filter module slidably affixed to         the sides of said central structural element, said means for         securing said filter module and said central structural element         being functionally interrelated such that causing said single         lever of said cantered element to rotate about a substantially         vertical axis, causes said means for securing said filter module         to slide with respect to said central structural element;     -   said means for securing said filter module having hook-like         structures at lower aspects thereof and said filter module         further comprising a lip at an upper extent thereof, which         hook-like structures are of a shape to catch said lip;

b) with fluid pressure absent affixing fluid carrying pipes to said first and second openings of said outer cover,

-   -   rotating said rotatably mounted single lever of said cantered         element at the top of said central structural element so that         the first and second holes in said central structural element         and said first and second holes in said rotatable structural         element wall are not aligned and so said means for securing said         filter module having hook-like structures at lower aspects         thereof are lowered;

c) entering a filter module such that the lip at said upper extent thereof is grasped by said hook-like structures of said means for securing said filter module;

d) rotating said rotatably mounted single lever of said cantered element at the top of said outer cover so that the first and second holes in said central structural element and said first and second holes in said rotatable structural element wall are aligned and so said means for securing said filter module having hook-like structures at lower aspects thereof are raised to secure said filter module to said combination manifold and valve system; and

e) pressurizing said fluid in said fluid carrying pipes which are affixed to said first and second openings of said central structural element.

Said method can further comprise the steps of:

f) rotating said rotatably mounted single lever of said cantered element at the top of said central structural element so that the first and second holes in said central structural element and said first and second holes in said rotatable structural element wall are not aligned and so said means for securing said filter module having hook-like structures at lower aspects thereof are lowered;

g) removing said filter module and replacing it with a new filter module or replacing the filtering media therein, such that the upper lip of said new filter module or filter module with replaced filtering media therein is grasped by said hook-like structures of said means for securing said filter module; and

h) rotating said rotatably mounted single lever of said cantered element at the top of said central structural element so that the first and second holes in said central structural element and said first and second holes in said rotatable structural element wall are aligned and so said means for securing said filter module having hook-like structures at lower aspects thereof are raised to secure said filter module to said combination manifold and valve system.

As alluded to, said method of filtering fluid can involve, in step g, replacing filtering media in the filter module. In such a case the filter module can comprise, as viewed in side elevation, receptors in an outer covering thereof which have a vertical and a horizontal section such that each forms an “L” shape. Said filter module then further comprises a filter lid which attaches to said filter module outer covering by way of sliding nibs on said filter lid into the vertical portions of said receptors on said filter module outer covering, and then causing a slight rotation motion of filter lid so that nibs are positioned in the horizontal portions of said receptor portions. When this is the case, the step of replacing said filtering media comprises:

g1) rotating said filter lid so that said nibs thereon are in the vertical sections of the receptors in the filter module outer covering;

g2) removing said filter lid from said filter module by moving it in a direction defined by the locus of said vertical portions of said receptors;

g3) removing old filtering media from said filter module and placing new filtering media thereinto;

g4) positioning said filter lid such that nibs thereon align with vertical portions of the receptors in said filter module outer covering and causing said filter lid to move toward said filter module outer covering in a direction defined by the locus of said vertical portions of said receptors;

g5) causing said filter lid to rotate so that the nibs thereon are caused to be placed into the horizontally oriented portions of said “L” shaped receptors.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the Detailed Description Section of this Specification, in conjunction with the Drawings.

SUMMARY

It is therefore a purpose and/or objective of the present invention to teach a system comprising a manifold and cantered element which comprises a single lever that is required to rotate only ¼ of a turn to, substantially simultaneously, shut-off inlet and outlet fluid supplies, and allow dropping a filter module, which filter module presents with dynamic fluid pressure.

It is further a purpose and/or objective of the present invention to teach a system wherein, when the single lever is rotated ¼ of a turn in an opposite direction, a new filter module can be drawn into an operational position and, substantially simultaneously, the inlet and outlet fluid supplies are re-opened without the required use of tools.

It is another purpose and/or objective of the present invention to teach a system which makes mis-installation of a filter module essentially impossible as the multi-tasking manifold/single lever combination then performs in a single operation what other known systems require two actions to accomplish.

It is another purpose and/or objective of the present invention to teach a system in which the filter module is designed so that the inlet and outlets thereof can only match to the inlet and outlets of the manifold, thereby preventing backward installation.

It is another purpose and/or objective of the present invention to teach a filter module comprising, as viewed in side elevation, receptors in an outer covering thereof which have a vertical and a horizontal section such that each forms an “L” shape; said filter module further comprising a filter lid which attaches to said filter module outer covering by way of sliding nibs on said filter lid into the vertical portions of said receptors on said filter module outer covering, and then causing a slight rotation motion of filter lid so that nibs are positioned in the horizontal portions of said receptor portions.

Other purposes and/or objectives of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the Specification and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 3 a and 3 b show side and top views of an “open” combination manifold and valve system with a filter module removably attached.

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 4 a and 4 b show side and top views of a “closed” combination manifold and valve system to which a filter module can be easily removed.

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 6 a, 6 b, 7 a, 7 b, 8 a and 8 b are additional views of the present invention system and provide insight to the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 9 a-9 e show detail of the filter module construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the Drawings, it is first noted that two embodiments are demonstrated. FIGS. 1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 4 a, 5 a, 6 a, 7 a and 8 a show one embodiment and FIGS. 1 b, 2 b, 3 b, 4 b, 5 b, 6 b, 7 b and 8 b another. A major distinction between the embodiments is found in an elongated dimension of a slit (FSME) shaped opening being projected vertically or at an angle between vertical and horizontal.

FIGS. 1 a-4 b show the present invention combination manifold and valve system (CMV) that comprises a central structural element (CSE) which has a substantially closed top and sides. Said sides have first (O1) and second (O2) openings therein, each of which is suitable for attaching thereto a fluid carrying pipe (FP1) (FP2). It is noted that a preferred attachment means is a John Guest Coupler placed inside (O1) or (O2) which allows mounting a pipe via a simply pushing it thereinto.

During use, a filter module (FM) comprising filter media therewithin, is secured to the lower extent of said central structural element (CSE). Present in said central structural element (CSE) there is a substantially circular (as viewed from above), inner cavity, in which is a rotatable structural element (RSE) has first (O1′) and second (O2′) openings in said wall, which openings are functionally projected inwardly into said inner circular cavity and then downward in the form of unequal lengths of pipe-like elements (PLW1) (PLE2). In use, fluid entered into one pipe-like element (PLW1) (PLW2) passes through said filter module (FM) which is affixed to the lower aspect of said combination manifold and valve system (CMV) and out of the other (PLW2) (PLW1) thereof. Said first (O1) and second (O2) openings in said central structural element (CSE) and said first (O1′) and second (O2′) openings in said rotatable structural element (RSE) in the inner cavity of the CSE) are arranged with respect to one another such that when the first (O1) of the openings in said central structural element (CSE) and the first (O1′) of said openings in said rotatable structural element (RSE) are aligned by relative rotation therebetween, then simultaneously so are the second (O2) openings in the central structural element (CSE) and said second (O2′) opening is said rotatable structural element (RSE). There is a cantered element (CE) at the top of said central structural element (CSE) having a single rotatable lever (CEH), and there are means for securing (SE) said filter module (FM) slidably affixed to the sides of said central structural element (CSE). Said cantered element (CE) and means for securing (FMSE) said filter module (FM) are functionally interrelated such that causing said cantered element (CE) to rotate causes said means for securing (FMSE) said filter module (FM) to slide with respect to said central structural element (CSE). Said means for securing (FMSE) said filter module (FM) have hook-like structures (HE) at lower aspects thereof, and said combination manifold and valve system (CMV) filter module (FM) further comprises a lip (FML) at an upper extent thereof, which hook-like structures (HE) are of a shape to catch.

FIGS. 5 a-8 b provide additional insight to the system of the present invention wherein the filter module (FM) is secured to the combination manifold and valve system (CMV). In particular, note that a rod (R) projects between Pivots (PV) that secure said means for securing (FMSE) said filter module (FM). Also note that said rod (R) rides atop said cantered element (CE), such that when lever (CEH) is caused to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis (VP), (viewed in side elevation as shown), said rod (R), and hence said means for securing (SE) said filter module (FM) having hook-like structures (HE) at lower aspects thereof, are caused to be raised and lowered. The FIGS. 1 a-8 b show an embodiment of the present invention in which rotation of the lever (CEH) in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above, secures the filter module (FM) to the combination manifold and valve system (CMV) also aligns (O1) to (O1′) and (O2) to (O2′). It is to be understood that another embodiment provides that the lever (CEH) rotates counter-clockwise, similarly viewed, to effect a similar alignment of (O1) to (O1′) and (O2) to (O2′). It is further noted that said single rotatable lever can be of a single projection construction or can have two projections oriented at 180 degrees from one another about a centrally located vertically oriented axis, or can be of any other functional configuration. FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show the hook-like structures (HE) at the lower extents of (SE) which catch the lip (FML) located at the upper aspect of said filter module (FM), and also show first opening (O1). It is to be understood that hook-like structures (HE) can be independently present on two means for securing (SE) said filter module (FM), or the means for securing (SE) said filter module (FM) can be of a half circle in shape, as viewed from atop or from below, and the means for securing (SE) said filter module (FM) can be distributed continuously or piecewise over all or a part thereof. Note that a stop rotation element (STP) is also shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, but differ in embodiment. FIG. 7 a shows the system of the present invention from the opposite side as that in FIG. 6 a, such that outlet opening (O2) is visible. FIG. 8 a shows another view of the present invention system showing the elements shown in FIG. 7 a.

Note that FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 7 a, 7 b, 8 a and 8 b further show that the means for securing (SE) said filter module (FM) having hook-like structures (HE) at lower aspects thereof, comprise a slit shaped opening (FSME), into which slit shaped opening (FSME) projects a rod (PVC) which is secured stationary with respect to said central structural element (CSE). Said rod (PVC) can be secured directly to said central structural element (CSE) or to a outer covering (OC) which at least partially contains said central structural element (CSE). Note that the operation of the slit shaped opening (FSME) and rod (PVC) is to provide guidance for the vertical motion of the filter module (FM) with respect to the central structural element (CSE) when the lever (CEH) is caused to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis (VP). Note that said (FSME) slit shaped opening is elongated and oriented such that its elongated dimension projects substantially vertically, as shown in FIGS. 7 a and 8 a, or as shown in FIGS. 7 b and 8 b, such that its elongated dimension projects at an angle between vertical and horizontal. The later configuration has been found to provide better strength and certainty of operation.

It is noted that the designation (OS) in various drawings indicates the outer surface of the central structural element (CSE) per se., or a covering which substantially contains the central structural element (CSE).

Continuing, FIGS. 9 a-9 e show detail of the filter module (FM) construction. FIG. 9 a shows a cut-away view of the upper portion of the filter module (FM) with a filter coupler (FC) indicated. FIGS. 9 b 1 and 9 b 2 show that the filter coupler (FC) is attached to a filter lid (FL) which can be removed from the filter module (FM). As indicated by FIGS. 9 c, 9 d and 9 e, the preferred approach to coupling the filter lid (FL) to the filter module (FM) is by way of sliding nibs (C) into receptors (C1′) in a filter module outer covering and then causing a slight rotation motion of filter lid (FL) so that nibs (C) are positioned in receptor portions identified as (C2′). FIGS. 9 c and 9 e show top views and FIG. 9 d shows a side elevational view of the receptors (C) as they would appear looking from the inside of the filter module (FM) toward the filter module lip (FML). Note that FIG. 9 e also shows that filter couplers (FC) can be positioned in the filter lid (FL) so that there is only one way that the filter lid (FL) can be fit into the central structural element (CSE) of the combination manifold and valve system. This, of course requires complimentary design of the location of the downward protections of the unequal lengths of pipe-like elements (PLW1) (PLE2) in the central structural element which functionally couple to said filter couplers (FC) when the present invention combination manifold and valve system to which a filter module removably attaches, is being used to filter fluid.

It is believed that a system comprising a manifold and a cantered element comprising a single lever which is required to rotate only ¼ of a turn about a substantially vertically oriented axis, to substantially simultaneously, shut-off inlet and outlet fluid supplies, and allow dropping a filter module, therefrom, wherein the filter module comprises a filter lid and an outer cover which functionally interconnect via rotatably interconnecting nib-“L” shaped receptor means, is new, novel and non-obvious. Further, when the single lever is rotated ¼ of a turn in an opposite direction, a new filter module can be drawn into an operational position and, substantially simultaneously, the inlet and outlet fluid supplies are re-opened. No tools are required, and the simple operation makes mis-installation of a filter module essentially impossible. The multi-tasking manifold/single lever combination performs, in a single operation, what other known systems require two actions to accomplish. In addition, the filter module is designed so that the inlet and outlets thereof can only match to the inlet and outlets of the manifold, thereby preventing backward installation.

Having hereby disclosed the subject matter of the present invention, it should be obvious that many modifications, substitutions, and variations of the present invention are possible in view of the teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described, and should be limited in its breadth and scope only by the Claims. 

1.-11. (canceled)
 12. A method for replacing a filter module that is attached to a combination manifold and valve system, the method comprising: simultaneously shutting off an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the system while releasing a securing member of the system from a securing position, by rotating a rotatable structural member of the system from a first position to a second position, the securing member having secured the filter module in operational engagement with the system in the securing position; and removing the filter module from the system for replacement with a replacement filter module, when the securing member is released from the securing position; wherein rotating the rotatable structural member from the first position to the second position allows for the releasing of the securing member.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the securing member slides in a direction defined by an axis, about which the rotatable structural member is rotated, for the releasing of the securing member from the securing position.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the securing member slides generally in a direction defined by an axis, about which the rotatable structural member is rotated, for the releasing of the securing member from the securing position, and then pivots away from the axis for the removing of the filter module.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein rotating the rotatable structural member from the first position to the second position is limited to rotating ¼ of a turn.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising simultaneously opening the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the system while drawing the replacement filter module into operational engagement with the system, after removing the filter module from the system for replacement, by rotating a rotatable structural member of the system from the second position back to the first position. 